Phytophilaspis is a phosphatized[2] genus of trilobite-like arthropod with eyes, found in association with algal remains.[1]
It dwelt in well-lit, shallow waters.[3]
Description
Phytophilaspis has several features in common with trilobites, including: tripartite division of
the dorsal shield; presence of prominent pygidium; large eyes, situated on the pleural area of the cephalon; facial sutures, and shape of the hypostome. However, it differs from trilobites in many ways, including a reduced thorax, thoracic pleura fused to each other and to the cephalon and pygidium, facial sutures not crossing the eyes, and weak original mineralization of the cuticle.[1] Because of these differences, Phytophilaspis was originally assigned to the Artiopodan subclass Concilliterga, in an undetermined order and family.[1] It was later considered by Bergström and Hou as a xandarellid, along with Cindarella, Xandarella and Sinoburius.[4] A position that was supported in subsequent studies.[5]
^Lin, J. ‐P.; Ivantsov, A. Y. U.; Briggs, D. E. G. (2010). "The cuticle of the enigmatic arthropod Phytophilaspis and biomineralization in Cambrian arthropods". Lethaia. 44 (3): 344. doi:10.1111/j.1502-3931.2010.00245.x.
^Bergström, J.; Hou, X. G. (2003). "Arthropod origins"(PDF). Bulletin of Geosciences. 78 (4): 323–334. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
